METRO VANCOUVER — At campaign stops in Vancouver and Winnipeg Wednesday, Liberal leader Justin Trudeau continued to promise a Liberal government would make life easier for working families — this time through more flexible parental leave and work conditions.

Surrounded by children and Liberal candidates inside the packed Francophone Centre in Kitsilano, Trudeau proposed two new parental leave options under Employment Insurance: parents could receive their benefits in smaller blocks of time over an 18-month period, instead of taking it all in 12 consecutive months; or could take a longer leave, up to 18 months, at a lower pay level.

He said the changes would not mean any increases to employment insurance premiums.

Earlier, in Winnipeg, Trudeau said a Liberal government would allow Canadians in federally regulated industries to ask employers for more flexible work hours or the ability to work from home. This is a policy already in use in several European countries, including the United Kingdom.

“The way Canadians work is changing ... The way Canadians live is changing,” he told about 200 supporters. “It’s about recognizing that we can increase the productivity for Canadians and protect their quality of life in a way that will grow the economy.”

He would amend the Canada Labour Code and work with the provinces to put the same rights into their labour legislation.

There is nothing in the Liberal plan that requires employers to grant the requests, but Trudeau said experience in other countries suggests most requests for changes in work hours are eventually approved.

But NDP leader Tom Mulcair called the proposal “wanting” and wouldn’t say whether his party would support a similar initiative.

“You’re going to be allowed to ask for flexible hours but your employer can say no,” Mulcair said during a stop in Surrey. “Well, that’s already the case today so I’m not too sure what they announced, to be honest with you.”

The Conservatives were also critical.

“Justin’s announcement lacks any teeth or enforceability, and does not apply to the vast majority of workers,” the party said in an email.

Dan Kelly, president of the Canadian Federation of Independent Business, said it’s not clear what the Liberal proposal would accomplish. Informal requests are already made by employees across Canada and are granted, he said.

“I don’t think it would have huge negative impact on business other than perhaps creating a bit of a paper chase,” Kelly said. “There is nothing in the proposal that appears to mandate that the employer must agree to what the employee wants.”

While Conservative leader Stephen Harper continues to be dogged at campaign stops by questions about the Duffy affair, Trudeau’s reception in Vancouver was a fairly calm one.

The toughest questions he received from reporters were over the failed candidacy of Steveston-Richmond East hopeful Wendy Yuan and about political donations by disgraced Vancouver businessman Mo Yeung (Michael) Ching.

Ching, who is wanted by Chinese authorities on corruption-related charges, has donated thousands to political parties, including the Liberals. “We continue to work with Elections Canada to ensure the Liberal party is fully compliant with all the rules ... targeting political donations in Canada,” Trudeau told reporters.

In regards to Yuan, a past candidate who the party did not approval to run again, Trudeau said the Liberals have “a robust nomination process.”

Trudeau is in Victoria today to make an announcement at the Esquimalt-Saanich-Sooke campaign office.